KIKU

Stephen Jones, is inviting designers to submit a photograph or illustration of their originally designed hat for the chance to be a part of Hats: An Anthology, an exhibition hosted by the Bard Graduate Center in New York City. The exhibit is a collaboration between Stephen Jones and the V&A and has previously attracted over 350,000 visitors in London and Brisbane. The selected hat will be displayed in the Bard Graduate Center Gallery as part of the exhibition. Stephen Jones is looking for originality and creativity and encourages participants to use any kind of material - from paper to metal, fabric to feathers, card to plastic*.

Thanks to Stephen Jones,Talenthouse,Vogue UK for this "concours de circonstance" to participate this event .

I start the project 3 weeks ago with no inspiration to be very honest....
I run and watch lot of film Noir, 60 Avant Garde,Tati ,Meville,Demy,Becker, and Terence Malik movies.
Finally after 2 weeks ....
I start a long process of work in progress...

Kiku is a japanese chrysanthemum . Flowers inspire me to create this sculptural art form in millinery project .
The dimensions of the hat are technically relate to his elaboration.
- 22 meters of a vintage Milan straw braid "hand made in Italy" sew with the Bulasky zigzag machine
on 22 meters of french wire.
- 260 grams defies the gravity on a asymmetrical movement at the longest diametre of 1,32 meters.
- 36 hours of hand stitching.
The braid is continuously drawing the petals in multidimensional perspective .
The free art form illustrate my vision of impressionism in a contemporary space ; as a sculpture , a lamp design and a hat .
This project is unique and made for " Design for Stephen Jones " by Philippe Urban as milliner.
Dress from Philippe Urban
Vintage 1940 recycled dress , Japanese silk kimono panels embroided of gold Kiku.
Stephanie Lemieux plays guitar and model.
Photography is Philippe Urban
Music is Hans Zimmer from the Thin Red Line .